The whole desert to myself

By now the sun has dropped low enough in the sky that it’s almost pleasant out. Judging by the weathered footprints on the trail, I’m the first person to hike up here in a couple days at least. I walk up the mile or so to the top of the dunes just in time for sunset. It’s absolutely glorious. Two lightning storms off in the distance, far enough away that they’re absolutely silent. These photographs don’t begin to do it justice. If I could take photos that could, I’d, well, for starters I’d become a photographer.

As the sun drops further, a strong wind picks up behind me; the dune ridge I’m sitting on starts to vibrate under me and make a low noise like an airplane starting. This calms immediately when the sun goes down, and insect noises start to appear.